Designed for
Students who are interested in taking American History next semester
Level
All levels
Class format
One-on-one and small group (Max. 7 students/class)
Class Introduction
Welcome to the class, we are about to embark on a journey through history! Perhaps no other part of the world has changed as drastically as that part which would become the United States. My goal is to introduce you to this part of our history and to help you develop a greater understanding of it and the current state of our nation. To show you how these events and circumstances apply to your lives today as you see the world around you. To demonstrate the multitude of population groups that played importantroles in the continued development of the United States. And finally, I anticipate that you will come into this class with both a rudimentary knowledge of certain aspects of American history and strong viewpoints of certain topics.
Themes to be developed include westward expansion and globalization, slavery, Native Americans, religious and social changes, western expansion, industrialization, immigration, imperialism, economic, political and social developments, the wars of the 18th, 19th, and 20th century and the changing status and conditions of women and minorities. An additional purpose of this course is to introduce students to the skills and practices of history. This class will help refine those viewpoints based on evidence.
Outcome
After completing the course, students are expected to reach the following goals:
- Knowledge of a basic narrative of American history: political, economic, social, and cultural, including knowledge of unity and diversity in American society
- Knowledge of common institutions in American society and how they have affected different groups
- Understanding of America’s evolving relationship with the rest of the world
- Knowledge of the major events, trends, and problems in American history to 1877
- Ability to explain how the past has shaped the present
- Ability to question and rethink preconceived notions regarding American history. Ability to conduct/evaluate historical research
- Analyzing and evaluating historical events and ideas in American history.
Course Content
- Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca; Chronicle of the Narvaez Expedition
- Carol Berkin, Revolutionary Mothers
- Uncle Tom’s Cabin
- The Progressive Presidents; Blum
- All Shook Up: HowRock ‘n’ Roll Changed America
| Lesson | Topics |
| 1 | European Colonization |
| 2 | Revolutionary America and United States Government |
| 3 | Manifest Destiny |
| 4 | American Civil War and Reconstruction |
| 5 | The Gilded Age and American Imperialism |
| 6 | The Progressive Era and World War I |
| 7 | The Roaring 20s and The Great Depression |
| 8 | World War II and the early Cold War PI |
| 9 | The Cold War PII |
| 10 | Modernity and the War on Terror |
Feedback
Students and their parents will receive brief feedback after each class, via Teachworks, regarding the student’s general participation in class. Students will also receive feedback on graded assignments via email. At the end of the course, the student will receive a final report card, which thoroughly speaks to their overall participation in the course, including major assignments.
